Unveiling the Influence of Air Pollution on Sports Demand: Evidence from the Chinese Football Association Super League

Zhiqi Tian, Shyue Chuan Chong, Hui Shan Lee and Yiqi Qiu

Journal of Sports Economics, 2025, vol. 26, issue 7, 842-866

Abstract: In the midst of China's football fervor, where fans’ roars fill packed stadiums, a hidden adversary emerges. Deteriorating air quality not only threatens the health of individuals but also casts a shadow over the very essence of sporting passion. This study dives into the Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL), unveiling the intricate relationship between air quality and stadium attendance. Bridging a gap in environmental economics and sports consumer behavior research, we employ a robust regression model analyzing 720 CSL matches from 2015 to 2017. The results reveal a significant inverse link between air pollution and spectator turnout. We establish a novel connection between air pollution and overall satisfaction and engagement in sports. Our findings suggest that addressing air pollution is not only a health necessity but also crucial for sustaining sports enthusiasts’ fervor. We advocate for strategic interventions to combat air pollution's impact on cherished sporting activities.

Keywords: Air pollution; sport demand; stadium attendance; soccer game; Chinese football association super league (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jospec:v:26:y:2025:i:7:p:842-866

DOI: 10.1177/15270025251348232

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